Not much separating Vergara, Skims in Sands Point
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Vergara and Skims, separated by a head in last month’s $445,950 Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs, renew acquaintances Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Sands Point Stakes at Aqueduct.
In the Dueling Grounds Oaks, Vergara, a daughter of Noble Mission trained by Graham Motion, had a ground-saving, pace-prompting trip whereas Skims was four wide and just off the pace. Skims did put a head on Vergara in mid-stretch before the latter battled back under Joel Rosario to narrowly prevail.
“I thought she ran super that day. Joel gave her a great ride,” Motion said. “That’s one of the appealing things about running there is he was able to ride her back.”
Vergara, who won the Tepin Stakes at Aqueduct as a 2-year-old, spotted Skims six pounds in the Dueling Grounds Oaks. Saturday, the entire field of 3-year-old fillies carries 118 pounds.
The Dueling Grounds Oaks was run at 1 5/16 miles. The Sands Point is run at 1 1/8 miles.
“I don’t think it’s a big concern,” Motion said of shortening up. “Somewhere in this area is her comfort zone whether it’s a mile, mile and an eighth or a little farther.”
Skims, trained by Shug McGaughey, breaks from the rail Saturday – one slot inside of Vergara – and should get a ground saving on-the-pace trip under John Velazquez.
“She’ll probably be up close if she breaks okay,” McGaughey said. “She’s training awfully well.”
The Sands Point marks the return to the races of Pizza Bianca, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner. Pizza Bianca beat Vergara in the Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico on May 20 before traveling to Ascot for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes where she finished eighth.
Clement was not pleased with Pizza Bianca’s training when he first started her back in August and gave her a bit of a freshening. She has four breezes since returning to the work tab.
“She looks good, she’s training well. Where are we compared to where we were a year ago? Can she compete at this level? I don’t know but the race will tell you where you are,” Clement said.
Pizza Bianca, who has not run beyond 1 1/16 miles, drew the outside post in this nine-horse field. Jose Ortiz rides.
Clement also sends out Canisy, a daughter of Point of Entry who cuts back to nine furlongs after finishing fifth in the Jockey Cub Oaks at 1 3/8 miles.
“I didn’t think she finished as well as we were expecting,” Clement said. “It was a mile and three-eighths, maybe a little bit further than she wants to go. There’s no reason with the way she’s been training not to be part of that race.”
Javier Castellano rides from post 4.
Chad Brown has won the last three runnings of the Sands Point, and five overall. Saturday, he sends out Eminent Victor, who won the Wild Applause, was beaten a nose in the Grade 3 Lake George, and finished fifth, with a troubled start, in the Grade 2 Lake Placid.
Spirit and Glory, the Virginia Oaks winner, Hail To, Golden Rocket, and Lady Baffled complete the field.
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